Yanks agree deal with first baseman Teixeira

Reuters Staff

2 Min Read

<p>Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Mark Teixeira watches the ball as he rounds the bases on a solo home-run hit against the Detroit Tigers during their MLB American League baseball game in Detroit, Michigan September 3, 2008. REUTERS/Rebecca Cook</p>

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The New York Yankees, who have spent $243.5 million on two pitchers this off-season, agreed a deal with first baseman Mark Teixeira, Major League Baseball website mlb.com reported on Tuesday.

Teixeira, the top offensive player on the free agent market, agreed to terms on an eight-year contract worth about $180 million, according to reports on ESPN (espn.com) and Sports Illustrated (si.com).

A baseball source, speaking on condition of anonymity to mlb.com, confirmed Teixeira’s decision to sign with the Yanks, though no official announcement has been made by the club.

Teixeira, 28, hit a combined .308 with 33 homers and 121 RBIs year in a season split between the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Angels.

The switch-hitting first baseman, who has had at least 30 homers and 100 RBIs in each of the last five seasons, would join new pitchers CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett on New York’s roster for next year’s debut season at the new Yankee Stadium.

Sabathia signed a seven-year deal worth $161 million that made him baseball’s highest-paid pitcher, and Burnett agreed to a five-year pact worth $82.5 million.

The Boston Red Sox, Baltimore Orioles, Washington Nationals and Angels were among other teams that had shown interest in Teixeira.

The signing would give the Yankees the four largest contracts in Major League Baseball with Teixeira joining third baseman Alex Rodriguez ($275 million/10 years), shortstop Derek Jeter ($189 million/10 years) and Sabathia as the best paid.